From: Lori Dupont
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 3:16 PM
To: 'Michael Olivier'; 'Darryl Gissel'; 'Dr. James Richardson'; 'Jimmy Durbin'; 'Jimmy Durbin'
Cc: Pat Forbes; Stacy Bonnaffons; Jeff Haley; Dan Rees; Shauna Sanford; Lauren Tichenor Nichols; Nick Speyrer; Erin Monroe Wesley; Pat Santos; 'N Jarreau'

Subject: Homeowner Program Reimbursement Expansion Recommendation Conference Call
Attachments: Homeowner Program Expansion Resolution 07132018.docx

Members:
As promised, and in preparation of the conference call scheduled for 3:30-4:30 PM this afternoon, please find the attached drafted resolution to be considered for the homeowner program reimbursement expansion recommendation.

Attachment: Homeowner Program Expansion Resolution 07132018.docx (2 Pages)

Restore Louisiana Task Force
RESOLUTION

Overview: A resolution by the Restore Louisiana Task Force recommending to Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards that the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program (“Program”) be formally modified as follows: (1) increase the percentage from 50% to 100% of the eligible reimbursement award amount for repairs or reconstruction, partially complete or fully complete prior to the time of application to the program or within HUD approved guidelines, to include homeowners in phases III, IV, V and VI. And also recommending that Governor Edwards instruct the Office of Community Development to immediately include the details of this change to the homeowner program into an Action Plan Amendment for submission to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

WHEREAS, on September 2, 2016, Governor John Bel Edwards established by Executive Order Number JBE 2016 65, the Restore Louisiana Task Force, directing the members of the Task Force to establish both short and long-term priorities in developing plans for recovery and redevelopment from the effects of the flooding disasters of March and August 2016; and

WHEREAS, to date, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated $1,708,407,020 in Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery (CDBG-DR) grants, funded through four separate congressional appropriations, to the State of Louisiana as a resource to recover from the catastrophic and destructive floods that impacted the state in both March and August 2016; and

WHEREAS, the State continues to vigilantly analyze methods in which to appropriately distribute funds to address unmet needs; and

WHEREAS, based upon current rate of surveys in the Homeowner Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program, and in light of the survey deadline of July 20, 2018, adjustments in the distribution of funds may be made to further address unmet needs of homeowners;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RESTORE LOUISIANA TASK FORCE, THAT:

Section 1: The Restore Louisiana Task Force recommends to the Governor the following changes for the Homeowner Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program. To better fill the financial gaps of homeowner who used their own resources to get their homes rebuilt, the following modification to the Homeowner Program is recommended:

Increase the percentage from 50% to 100% of the eligible reimbursement award amount for repairs or reconstruction partially complete or fully complete, prior to the time of application to the program or within HUD approved guidelines, for homeowners in phases III, IV, V and VI.

Section 2: In order to continue expediting the process of federal funds approval, the Restore Louisiana Task Force recommends to the Governor that the State of Louisiana, Office of Community Development incorporate and provide appropriate details on the above recommended changes to the Homeowner Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program into an Action Plan Amendment for submission to HUD as soon as possible, for its review.

PASSED AND UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED on this the 13TH day of July 2018.
APPROVED
Jimmy Durbin, Co-Chair
Jacqui Vines Wyatt, Co-Chair

Research Resource: 

• Email & Attachment: 2018.07.10.15.16.00-Homeowner_Program_Reimbursement_Expansion_Recommendation_Conference_Call.pdf

Resource: Email Replies, 

From: James A Richardson <parich@lsu.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 4:05 PM
To: Lori Dupont; Pat Forbes
Subject: Re: Homeowner Program Reimbursement Expansion Recommendation Conference Call

questions about the proposed resolution:

1. how many reimbursement awards are we talking about?
2. And have all of these awards are already being paid out for 50%?
3. what is the total cost of this proposal?
4. Is proposal consistent with HUD’s rules and regulations?
5. what would other possible uses of money be?

Jim Richardson

> On Jul 10, 2018, at 3:16 PM, Lori Dupont <Lori.Dupont@la.gov> wrote:
>
> <Homeowner Program Expansion Resolution 07132018.docx>